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Jomel Warrican starred with a remarkable five-wicket haul as the West Indies defeated Pakistan by 120 runs in the second Test match at Multan on Monday, securing their first Test win in Pakistan in nearly 35 years. The victory helped level the series 1-1 after Pakistan triumphed in the first Test by 127 runs.
Warrican’s Masterclass
Warrican’s superb bowling performance, which saw him take nine wickets in the match and 19 wickets in the series, proved pivotal in delivering a historic win for the visitors. The West Indies had not won a Test in Pakistan since November 1990 and came to Multan with a young squad. The performance of the 32-year-old spinner earned him both Man of the Match and Player of the Series awards.
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite expressed pride in his team’s resilience, especially given the challenging conditions. “To come here and do it as a young group is incredible,” he said, adding praise for Warrican’s all-round performance, which also included 36 in the West Indies’ first innings of 163*.
Pakistan’s Collapse
Chasing a target of 254 runs, Pakistan’s hopes rested on Saud Shakeel, but after being dismissed for 13 by Kevin Sinclair, the home team’s chances faded quickly. Babar Azam top-scored with 31, and Mohammad Rizwan contributed 25, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to deliver.
Warrican took crucial wickets, dismissing nightwatchman Kashif Ali and then Rizwan, leaving Pakistan struggling at 76-6. As the innings collapsed, Gudakesh Motie also played his part, taking 2-35, before Warrican claimed the final two wickets, sealing victory by dismissing Sajid Khan for 7.
Pakistan’s Fall in WTC Rankings
The defeat sent Pakistan plummeting to ninth in the World Test Championship standings, while the West Indies moved to eighth.
Shan Masood’s Reflection
Speaking after the match, Shan Masood, Pakistan’s captain, admitted the team’s shortcomings and emphasized the importance of learning from the defeat. “We didn’t capitalise on the chances we got,” he said. He pointed to a poor first day as the turning point and stressed the need for better partnerships and handling pressure moments.
Masood also acknowledged individual performances that were promising, noting the contributions of Saud Shakeel, Rizwan, and Babar Azam. He also highlighted the need for more proactive play like the 50 scored by Brathwaite for the West Indies, something Pakistan needs to replicate in future matches.
Looking Ahead
While Pakistan’s performance fell short in this match, the series was not without its positives. The team will look to build on the lessons learned and improve their approach in future tests, particularly in terms of capitalizing on strong positions.
